My Gracie

A car horn beeped outside and I jumped up from my place on the sofa, grabbed my backpack and bolted to the door. Bouncing down the steps, I jogged over to the car that was parked right outside with glee and hopped into the passenger seat. “Good afternoon,” a deep and husky voice said.

“And a good afternoon to you,” I replied. Jack had been my best friend since we were kids and spontaneous road trips had become our thing since we first learnt how to drive. We hadn’t been on a trip for a few months and I was ecstatic when Jack had texted me and suggested it. So now today was one of those many days where we’d see where the road would take us. “You got snacks?” I asked joyfully.

“Of course,” Jack said before pointing to the plastic bag in the footwell that was full to the brim of sweets and other various snacks. Before I even had time to root around and see what joyous goodies awaited me, we set off and began our trip that would last for who knows how long. I could barely sit still in my seat as the radio blasted out the latest hits and me and Jack sang along, there was no better feeling in the world and it wasn’t long before we were out of town, munching on our snacks and reminiscing all our other spontaneous outings. We ranted and raved about work, got excited over seeing dogs being taken on their daily walks and parked up for a while just to listen to the light rain patting down on the roof of the car.

By now we’d been driving for close to 3 hours, stopping off at an ice cream shop and a grassy park before finally reaching a beach. The rain had finally stopped and the sun was beginning to set, the air was warm and the sky had turned a deep orange colour as we walked along the beach, kicking stones as we went along. We walked in silence, but it was a comfortable silence. All I could hear were the sounds of the water gently sweeping against the stones, and the distant barking of dogs running around. It was peaceful. “I have something to tell you,” Jack’s voice snapped me out of my daydream.

“Go ahead,” I said. Jack stopped and sat down on the small, grey stones.

“Sit with me,” he breathed. I perched next to him and for a short while he said nothing, we just enjoyed the sound of the water again. “I haven’t been well.” He started and my brow furrowed. “I didn’t want to tell you but the reason we haven’t been on a road trip for months is because I’ve been ill.”

“What do you mean ill?” I asked, my mind had an idea of what he meant but I didn’t want it to be true. I watched as Jack took a deep breath in and closed his eyes, taking a moment for himself.

“It started out like a normal sickness bug, but after a while I found myself going for a PET scan and being told I didn’t have long to live, so these past few months I’ve been completing a bucket list. I tried new stuff like motorcycling, bungee jumping, I even tried cheese fondue.” I closed my eyes, not wanting to believe what I was hearing.

“How much longer do you have?” I croaked.

“I’d rather not tell you because I want you to enjoy whatever time we have left, in fact I have one more thing on my bucket list I’d like you to help me with.” He turned towards me.

“What’s that?” I felt tears prick my eyes but I darent let them spill.

“I want you to make me the happiest man ever.” My brows furrowed once more in confusion which made him smile.

“How do I do that?” I questioned.

“Keep your chin up, because you know that when I’m gone I won’t really be gone. I’ll always be with you, not physically but I’ll be there. In your heart and in your memories too. It’ll be hard at first but keep moving, keep looking forward. I want you to smile, be happy and be you. Promise?”

“Promise.” I felt tears start to fall down my face, but he wiped them away with his thumb and rested his forehead against mine.

“My Gracie. My beautiful Gracie.”